Aeroplane-plane.



z WIT 716556.!

flywewto Elzram Way/M56 Gum a Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

. in cross section,

- of which ELWOOD WASHINGTON, OI' HAMMOND, INDIANA.

.AEBOPLANE-PLANE.

T 0 all whom it) concern.-

Be it known that 1, Enwoon WAsHJNGTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hammond, in the county of Lake and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane-Planes,

the following is a specification.

1 This invention relates to aeroplane planes, and more particularly to an upper main plane for an aeroplane.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a plane of light but durable construction which may be used in connection with an aeroplane of standard construction. A further object is to provide a plane comprising a collapsi'ble bag or container which may be filled with hydrogen or other suitable gas so as to materially increase the buoyanc of the aeroplane asa Whole. Further o jects Will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view constructed tion. v

Fig. 2 isa section line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on Iine13 3 of Fi 1.

l ig. at is a fragmentary detail view.

In constructing the plane I rovide an outer rigid'frame 1 of substantia ly V-shape the upper and underfaces of this frame being beveled and the apex of the V dircctedoutwardly so as to present a relatively sharp edge thus reducing the of a plane accordance wlth my inventaken substantially on resistance of the frame to passage through I the air to a minimum. This frame is adapted to be secured to the body and the lower plane of the aeroplane in connection with which it is used by means of suitable braces 2, or in any suitable manner. Frame 1 carries a collapsible gas bag 3 secured therein and extending-complctely across the interior cross area of the frame so as to close the same. It will benoted that the frame is of substantially rectangular formation and each. leg of the frame is V-shapcd in cross section so that the marginal edges of the gas bag are forced into the space of V-shapcd formation when the bag is inflated. This gas bag, may be constructed of rubberized silk or any other suitable light but strong material and is sooured in the frame 1 at the edge portion Specification of Letters Patent.

' a smooth surface purposes of observation,

. provided with a v tioned above the substantially Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

Application flled June 19,1818 Serial No. 240.783.

thereof. By filling'the air bag 3 with hydra gen, or other suitable gas, this bag is caused to expand soas to materially increase the buoyancy-of the plane. Also, when the bag 3 is filled with gas the under face thereof is stretched relatively tight so as to present to the air in the same manner as a plane of standard construction.

he bag 3 is provided with a suitable valve 4 secured therein by means of which the bag may be filledwith gas, or deflated, as required.

The plane constructed in this manner is intended'to be used as the top plane for an aeroplane of the multiple plane type. By inflating the bagB, the buoyancy of this top plane is materially increased, thisplane increasing the buoyancy of the aeroplane as a whole So as to permit it to be driven at relatively slow speed, when desired, for v bombing, and other purposes. Also due to this increase of buoyancy, an aeroplane equipped with an inflatableupper plane of t is type is capable of ali ting easily thus eliminating the danger o accident which occurs in aeroplanes of ordinary type the planes of which are not inflatable. If desired, the frame 1 may be plurality of transversely retaining members posibag 3 so as to effectually eliminate all possibility of the bag being pulled out of the frame 1, though I do not consider these members necessary under ordinary conditions.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may be considered the preferred or approved form of in vention. It is to be understood, howev r,

reinforcing and that I may make such changes in constru fil 1,28%,313

V-shapecl frame whereby the said bag will be frame and extenliaig over the full inierior mamtameu 1n pOS1l1l011 1n the frame when flIBfiEl'lGlGOf, 831d gas bag bemg adapted in the bug is inflated. receive a gas fur mcreasing the buoyancy 2. In (L plane ior aeroplanes, a retamlng thereof. 5 frame 01 substantially ll-shape m cross sec- 111 testlmony whereof .l; affix my signature 15 tlon,tl1e upper and under faces of said frame in presence of two witnrasses.

being oppositely inlined so as to provide ELVVOOD. WASHINGTfiN.

a relatively sharp edge for reducing resist- Witnesses ance of passage through the air of the plane, JESSE L. Row, 10 and an inflatable gas bag secured in said. O. S. MATHUSA. 

